Sportacus was starting to get an uneasy feeling about Elena's nightmares. Maybe what she was feeling was spilling on him or maybe that there was something out there. She looked at him, worried.

"I wish I knew what was happening. I'm scared and I don't like this feeling. Anytime I have this...nightmare, I feel out of control. Why am I having them? And what does it want with you?"

It was really bothering her. More than a regular nightmare would. And what bothered him the most was that for some reason his crystal was not detecting her. Why wasn't it? "I wish I knew why. About a lot of things."

"I was really enjoying myself until I fell asleep. It was such a beautiful spot.

"That reminds me, what were you doing out here? You've been gone all day."

"Every once in a while I take a walk and explore. It gives me a chance to see new things and it clears my head so I can think."

"Well, I think until we find out what's behind your nightmares, you should put your walks on hold for a while."

"So you do think there is something going on."

He slipped up. He pursed his lips. "I don't know but I think you should be careful. And my crystal can't detect you all the time and I don't know why."

Her stomach grumbled. "Come on. My airship is close. Why don't we get you some food and get you home. You will feel better."

"Thank you Sportacus." She took a deep breath.

"Maybe a party tomorrow will lift your spirits?"

"Yeah, maybe."

They were walking to the ladder and she stopped. She closed her eyes for a minute. Sportacus watched her. He knew what she was doing so he waited. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath and shrugged.

"The mayor asked me to be his best man at his wedding."

"Really?...what does that mean?"

"It means I help him with him with his part of the wedding."

"That's wonderful!...isn't it?"

"Yes." He smiled.

She was more relaxed once she got back to Lazy Town.


Robbie begrudgingly watched TV with his bowl of snacks and soft drink. Every once and a while a 'Sportakook or Sportanerd would pass his lips. His speakers came down with a resounding rumbling noise that came through them, startling him and the snacks out of his lap. Gritting his teeth, he ran to his periscope to see what the rumble was. His spying eyes came up on the airship and he saw Sportacus and Elena.

'Are you sure you're gonna be ok?'

'Yes. Thank you.' She reached up and gave him a hug. 'Hey, wait a sec. If your crystal didn't find me, how did you?'

Robbie cocked his head, interested.

'I tried something new. We can talk about that some other time. Maybe I check on you later.'

She nodded and headed home.

"So, his crystal can't detect her. Interesting." He thought while rubbing his chin when suddenly he realized something. "She's alone! I can talk to her now." He rubbed his hands together and left.


Elena made some dinner and put it in her oven to warm up. She went to her closet and picked out a dress for the party. She sat down on her bed trying to think of what her nightmares could be. Whatever they were, she didn't feel them anymore. She lay down and closed her eyes but she was finding it difficult trying to rest. She got up, went to the refrigerator and poured some milk. As she put the glass to her lips, there was a knock at the door.

She opened the door. "Robbie? What are you doing here?"

"Um, well I didn't see you for chess this afternoon."

"Oh, yeah sorry. I took a walk and fell asleep."

"Really? That's my favorite thing to do!"

She chuckled. "Come in."

"So, I was wondering..." He was nervously clearing his throat. "If you...were going to

DING

"My dinner is ready." She headed to the kitchen with Robbie following. She pulled out leftovers from the oven. "You were saying?"

"Yes, well...I was wondering if you'd like to...-"

"Woha!" She backed into Robbie. "Sorry. I didn't know you were right behind me."

He backed up so she could put the pan on the hot plate. "That's ok. So, about the party."

Knock knock.

He had to get this out now. "Can I escort you to the party?" He closed his eyes.

"Huh? Um, sure. That'd be fun!" She smiled and left to answer the door.

"She said yes?" He smiled. "Yes!"

She answered the door. "Sportacus!" She beamed a big smile. "Hi."

"Sportacus?" Robbie headed to the door.

"Hi. I wanted to check in on you. Make sure you were ok."

"I'm ok. Come in. I'm glad you're here!" As soon as she stepped aside, Robbie stepped up behind her.

The two stood face to face. "Robbie?"

"Hello Sportacus." He said with a gloating a smile, enunciating every syllable of his name.

Sportacus had an awkward grin. "Well, if you're busy-"

"No. Come in. I wanted to get your opinion about something."

Robbie knew Sportacus didn't like him being here. His plan was working.

"Yes, well, I'll be going." He kissed her hand. "I'll pick you up tomorrow for the party." He added still smiling as he passed Sportacus and walked into the closet. Then he nonchalantly walked back out. "Heh heh. Nice closet." He said going out the correct door.

"Bye." She looked at Sportacus puzzled. "The closet...thats new." She shrugged.

As the door closed Robbie let out an evil laugh and headed back to his lair.

She grabbed Sportacus's hand and pulled him in the kitchen. "I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" He could see her enthusiasm that he liked so much.

"Yes. I almost forgot. Ok, now I decided to try something and I want you to help me."

"Sure, what can I do?"

She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a plate of chocolate cupcakes. "I made these and I wanted to get your opinion on how they tasted."

"Elena, you know if I eat sugar I have a meltdown."

"But these are different. I've made a lot of modifications. I've experimented with the juices from sports candy in place of sugar. Apple is the best one so far." She put a cupcake on a napkin in front of him.

Sportacus looked at it uneasily.

"Oh please Sporty, please?"

"Sporty?"

"Yeah, it's a nick name. It's cute. Please?

"I don't know...Laney."

"Laney?"

"Yes. It's a nickname. It's cute."

She thought for a few seconds. "Laney. Laney...I love it!" She hugged him around his neck.

Well, that didn't work. "I'm not sure about this cupcake."

She went to the fruit bowl and grabbed an apple and sat down. "Look, I'm sure it's all ok. If not, I have an apple right here. Please, please, please." She made puppy dog eyes at couldn't resist her emerald eyes. Especially when she made that look. She'd use that persuasive look a few times before and it worked. Just as it was going to this time.

He knew she wouldn't hurt him. He didn't like the idea of a melt down but she was prepared and he might not have one. "Ok. I try for you." He picked it up and brought it to his mouth. She waited in anticipation. He closed his eyes, opened his mouth, took a bite and chewed...and chewed. He opened his eyes, surprised. It tasted great! He swallowed and waited. A smile came across his face and he took another bite to make sure.

"Wow! This is wonderful!"

"Really? You really like it?"

"Yes!" He smiled. "I've never had anything like it!" He was happy.

She, in her usual enthusiastic style, gave her standard hug and kiss. "I'm so happy! Sports candy cupcakes!"

"How did you even think to do this?"

"Well, when Robbie first came over here he brought a...house warming cake? I think is what he called it. Anyway, I couldn't eat it. It was just too sweet. I started trying different foods and I found I really couldn't stand anything with sugar. Is that an elf thing by the way? Anyway, I got a cook book and I've been trying different recipes and, ta da!"

"Robbie brought you a cake?"

She nodded. "I keep it for him when he visits." She wrapped up the cupcakes and put them back. "I also made sports candy ice pops for those hot days!"

"You've been busy."

"Sometimes." She wiped down the counter.

"So...Robbie is going to take you to the party?"

She stopped. "Yeah. He just asked me before he left. Is there anything I should know about this party?" She started to clean the refrigerator and table.

"I don't think so. It's just a party to celebrate the engagement with family and friends."

"Oh. Ok."

"Well, maybe I'd better go. It's getting late. Thank you again for the sports candy cupcake."

"Um ok. I guess it is getting late. I'm glad you came by." She gave him a very tight hug. More for her because she was getting an anxious feeling. She didn't want to go to sleep. Although it might be just because of earlier. She had to find some way to relax.

Sportacus noticed her hug was longer than usual. "Are you ok?"

"Huh?" She pulled back. "Yeah." She snapped back to her normal self. "Well, I'm gonna do... something and go to bed."

"Sleep well." He could tell she was still uneasy. He was going to keep the airship close just in case.


The dawn broke. Elena was very relaxed but very uncomfortable. She reached around for her pillow when she lost her balance and fell. Instinct made her reach out for the bed to stop her fall only to find she was holding onto a branch of a tree. She was startled and almost lost her grip. She screamed as the branch started to crack. She held on for dear life. She was trying not to make any sudden movements. She had to think of something.

She didn't know where she was or how she got here. All she knew was the branch was going to break, Sportacus couldn't detect her, there was no one around to rescue her and it was a very long way down.